Celebrations: Queenstown: One fine day

Set against bright blue skies and the sparkling Lake Wakatipu, this vibrant couple celebrated their love in truly colourful form.

Set against bright blue skies and the sparkling Lake Wakatipu, this vibrant couple celebrated their love in truly colourful form. Victoria Lindrea and Karl Dunham married at Jack’s Point, Queenstown, on Saturday, April 6, 2013.

Gallery: Celebrations: Queenstown: One fine day

Vaughan Brookfield

Our love story
After I gave him a haircut in 2009, Karl took me on a date to The Bunker in Queenstown. Exactly two amazing years later, we returned to the same restaurant for another monumental occasion. I wasn’t expecting a proposal at all, so was confused when along with our mains, out came a small box. Karl pushed back his chair and got down on one knee – it was a completely magical surprise.

Our wedding style
We were blessed with a clear, sunny Queenstown day so married on the deck at Jack’s Point against the glassy backdrop of Lake Wakatipu. Our wedding didn’t carry a theme, instead serving as a reflection of us as a couple – fun, spontaneous and full of bright colour. Large windows and sweeping views across the lake meant Jack’s Point needed little decorating, but our stylist and florist brightened the interior by adorning tables with bright pink and orange-toned blooms and hanging fresh green foliage from the ceiling.

My dream dress
I bought my silk garza Pronovias gown while on a shopping trip in Melbourne, having fallen in love with its sweetheart neckline, ruffled skirt and floral appliqué shoulder. Instead of a veil, I bought two hair combs from Kristi Bonnici – the white flower head piece was a regal addition to my ceremony look, while an elegant diamanté-encrusted creation provided a suitable amount of glitz for after ‘I do’. I finished my look with a gold, glittery pair of Kate Spade New York heels.

A sumptuous feast
After enjoying canapés and champagne in the sun with our 70 guests, we moved inside to sit on two long tables. Following shared antipasti platters, Jack’s Point served mains of beef, duck and fish. Sweet canapés such as chocolate truffles and mini pavlovas accompanied our two-tiered cake for dessert – Cup and Cake covered one layer of banana cake and one of carrot with marshmallow frosting, and topped the creation with fresh blooms and gold deer figurines – a nod to the time Karl and I had spent living together in Colorado.

For our guests
Jars with filled with bright-coloured fizzy lollies sat at each place setting for guests to take home. We spray painted the lids gold, topped them with animal figurines and attached notes reading ‘How sweet it is. Enjoy the love. Mr and Mrs Dunham’.

Music to my ears
Mojo provided music for the entire celebration, playing as an acoustic duo for our ceremony and canapés, then incorporating upbeat backing tracks for the post-dinner party – they kept the dance floor full all night.

My advice for brides to be
Make a schedule for your day and do your best to stick to it – being organised will mean you can relax and, knowing everything is in hand, take the time to enjoy each moment.